No insurance coverage. Looking for suggestions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're in DC, this thread might help:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/45/202700.page

Start on pg 4 about half way down, look for the conversation on DC healthy families. I believe the whole thing ended up being quite a huge pain in the ass for the OP but I think she managed to find a solution there.

That is a fantastic thread. Restores my faith in humanity, if not in bureaucracy.

[Anonymous]

I also think that you should look into Kaiser. I paid about $150 a month a couple years ago. The care was competent.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks very much everyone. I did actually stumble upon Nova Birth Center today and am exploring that option. Seems like it good be a great option. The costs for self pay at Sibley were shocking and for those who are curious about my figures they broke down as follows:

10K vaginal birth
15K c section
5K for baby care costs if baby is healthy
7500 for baby care costs if baby is "sick"
5K to my OB group for prenatal visits (not sibley cost but still an expense)
3K for epidural
One more cost I cant remember...
Total= shocking and scary

I really appreciate all of the suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Just had a C Section at Shady Grove Hospital was induced on Sunday released on Friday after a C. baby had a temperature so stayed in the hospital for an extra 2 nights. Shady Grove billed me around 6 k total, anesthesia around 1800, and peds around 1400. Cannot remember what the OB bill was. I called all of those places and talked them into reducing the rate I ended up paying around 8K for everything.

[Anonymous]

Is this the OP? If so, I'm so glad to hear it wasn't the Sibley cost! I still think it's criminal that this can happen to people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Abortion
Or
Have the baby in England
Or
Home birth

Or
Bankrupcy and homelessness. If you are homeless the baby will land in foster care. Foster care for infants turns into adoption after 6 months

This is incredibly insensitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Abortion
Or
Have the baby in England
Or
Home birth

Or
Bankrupcy and homelessness. If you are homeless the baby will land in foster care. Foster care for infants turns into adoption after 6 months

or have your baby in New York, or in another state where being pregnant automatically qualifies you for Medicaid.

Seriously, I would call a clinic that regularly deals with uninsured populations and ask them what they suggest.

[Anonymous]

If you live in DC,then DC Medicaid pays for it all, and I mean all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks very much everyone. I did actually stumble upon Nova Birth Center today and am exploring that option. Seems like it good be a great option. The costs for self pay at Sibley were shocking and for those who are curious about my figures they broke down as follows:

10K vaginal birth
15K c section
5K for baby care costs if baby is healthy
7500 for baby care costs if baby is "sick"
5K to my OB group for prenatal visits (not sibley cost but still an expense)
3K for epidural
One more cost I cant remember...
Total= shocking and scary

I really appreciate all of the suggestions.

OP, I have had Peggy and Kim at two of my homebirths, and I love them. Their birth center is gorgeous.

We have BCBS, but have to pay out of pocket for our homebirths--worth every bit, priceless!

Be sure to tell any midwives you interview that you are self-paying. Most will offer a discount.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also think that you should look into Kaiser. I paid about $150 a month a couple years ago. The care was competent.

Obviously, they have different plans, but I had Kaiser when my first was born and didn't pay a dime for birth expenses. The bills were about $6500 for a normal vaginal delivery with no complications, epidural, two day hospital stay and pediatric care. Might be worth looking into, OP.

[Anonymous]

NOVA Natural Birth Center will run less than 4000 out of pocket, but you can't use drugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NOVA Birth Center or Birth Care can do prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care for 3500-4000ish. HOwever, with BirthCare be ware that that require you to have a "birth assistant" which is around 850-1000 on top of the other fees. NOVA BirthCenter doesn't require it last I checked and they offer a discount for those paying fully out of pocket.

But bare in mind that the unexpected can happen and if you have to transfer to a hospital, you'll end up paying for both. With a hospital, you can try to negociate for insurance rates once get your bill.

I second NOVA Natural Birth Center. I delivered there, and it was awesome. The rumor is that they are going to begin to encourage doulas. There are many student doulas who will do it for free or a lower cost.